My mom has always been a social butterfly: full of laughter, the gift of gab, and a warmth that could light up any room. But since her Alzheimer's diagnosis and the loss of independence that came with no longer living on her own or driving, she's faced a deep loneliness and a fading sense of purpose. That's why the Franciscan Adult Center has been nothing short of a lifeline - not just for her, but for our entire family. It's more than a place to spend the day, it's a place where she feels known. Surrounded by others facing a range of physical and cognitive challenges, she no longer feels "different" or "less than." She feels like she belongs. That connection, that joy of being part of something again, has brought back a light in her eyes I thought I might never see again.